Dances Can Jump-Start Budding Friendships

Sharon Kemp says she has been “fixing people up for a hundred years. I’ve married off 22 people.” Recently she decided to put her matchmaking talents in a more formal arena.

Kemp has started Single Buddies, “a Jewish network of friends 30 to 50” that holds monthly dances where the emphasis is on personal introductions all around. At the group’s first event last month, Kemp relied on 12 friends to act as hosts and hostesses throughout the evening.

“Usually it’s so difficult at dances,” Kemp said. “Women are up tight and the guys are terrified they’ll be rejected. It’s back to junior high dances. I want these events to be warm and friendly, not just putting a bunch of people in a room together.”

At Single Buddies dances, hosts move about the room to meet everyone. When someone expresses interest in meeting another person across the room, the host will initiate the conversation.

Kemp plans to hold dances every month. She is also contemplating a Singles Buddies II, for singles 21 to 34.

Social/Dance (Single Buddies, Beverly Plaza Hotel, 8384 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, 8 p.m., (213) 278-9611). $15 ($12 in advance).